Most likely to die a sus.., p.1
Most Likely to Die: a suspenseful mystery slasher, page 1
MOST
L I K E L Y
TO DIE
P. J. S T A N L E Y
Copyright © P.J. Stanley
Copyright © Travis Szablewski
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the publisher, except with brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Target
Haley Hitchcock closed her eyes tightly as the steaming water rained down onto her from the showerhead above. The hot water trickled down her chest, curling over the edges of her breasts and splashing onto the tile floor of the shower stall below. Haley turned towards the water as she tilted her head back, keeping her long, clipped up blonde locks away from the scorching streams. It was nine o’clock on a Friday night, and here she was, showering in the locker room of Bridgefield High School while all of her friends were at Stacey Miller’s party.
It was all because of that egotistical, self-entitled, pompous little bitch.
Brynn Baldwin.
After practice, she ordered Haley to stay behind to work on her moves for the pep rally next Friday.
“Your kicks aren’t high enough, Haley!”
“You’re dancing like someone put your NuvaRing in wrong, Haley!”
Ever since Brynn made captain of the cheer team last year, her ego tripled, and Haley didn’t even think that was possible. Haley ran her sudsy hands along her thin arms, spreading the foamy bubbles along her soft, pale flesh as the steam filled her nostrils.
CLICK!
The fluorescent lights above flickered off as Haley heard the light switch click in the distance.
“Hello?” Haley called out as she turned, facing the white shower curtain behind her. Haley swallowed hard as she listened carefully, the silence ringing in her ears as she grabbed the shower knob, turning it off. “Hello? Coach, is that you?” Haley asked softly as the last remaining drops of water fell from the showerhead and plopped onto the tile floor. “Coach?”
Haley slid the curtain open, staring back at the set of sinks that stood across from the shower stalls as she reached around the corner, grabbing a white towel from the hook. Haley shivered as the water trickled down her naked body. Her hands tightened around the edge of the towel as she quickly wrapped it around her body, tucking the top edge securely into the corner of her right breast.
“Coach, is that you?” Haley asked once more as she stepped out of the stall, her wet, bare feet stepping firmly onto the white tile floor. Haley’s eyes scanned the small shower area that surrounded her, every mirror above each sink, plastered with steam. Haley inched forward, making her way through the small doorway and stepping into the main locker room. “Hello?”
Silence.
Haley’s eyes darted across the room, eying the numerous aisles of red lockers scattered all throughout the dark locker room. Haley glanced to her right to see the black, furry mascot costume for the Bridgefield Bulls folded neatly onto a bench beside her, a soft, plush, black bull head with big, black eyes and a snarl stared back at her. Good old Billy the Bull.
BAM!
The sound of metal slamming echoed through the deserted locker room as Haley jumped, nearly screaming as she placed her hand to her pounding chest.
“Alright, who’s in here? Dougie, I swear to God!” Haley snapped as she stormed through the locker room, passing the aisles one by one. Haley stopped in her tracks, staring down the third aisle…to see her locker door a few feet ahead, the door wide open. “What the fuck,” Haley growled as she stormed down the aisle, making her way towards her locker. Haley grabbed the cold, sharp edge of the locker door and stared inside…as her eyes widened.
Her clothes.
Her phone.
Gone.
“Are you fucking kidding me,” Haley sighed as she slammed the door shut, glancing around the dark aisle that surrounded her. “Alright, cut the shit! This isn’t fucking funny, assholes! Come out!” Haley yelled. Haley spun around as she heard the squeaky sound of a shower knob turn in the distance. The sound of running water filled Haley’s ears as she swallowed hard, inching towards the end of the aisle ahead. “This isn’t funny, shitheads!” Haley said as she stormed out of the aisle and through the doorway of the shower area. Haley’s eyes darted forward, locking onto the four shower stalls in front of her.
Every curtain, closed.
Every shower, on.
“Marco,” Haley smirked as she reached forward, grabbing the curtain of the first shower stall in front of her. Haley yanked the curtain open…
To see no one as the water streamed down onto the tile floor from the showerhead above. Haley’s jaw tightened as she exhaled sharply, moving to the second shower stall.
“I swear to God, Theo. If you’re fucking with me right now,” Haley snapped as she grabbed the white curtain, pulling it open.
Empty.
Haley smiled to herself as she stepped in front of the third shower stall, cocking her head to the right. Haley reached forward and grabbed the edge of the curtain, the fabric tightening between her fingers…as a large, bulky figure leaped against the white curtain from inside the stall.
“AH!” Haley screamed as the curtain ripped from the rod above. Haley tumbled back, slamming onto the wet tile floor as the white curtain covered her body. The weight of the unseen assailant pressed onto her stomach as she threw her hands forward, her palms pressed against the white fabric in front of her. The tip of a long, gleaming knife blade stabbed through the fabric between Haley’s hands. “AH!” Haley screamed as the blade danced through the fabric, inching towards her face. Haley threw her hands forward, slamming against the unseen figure’s chest. Haley shoved the white curtain off as she quickly stood up, darting forward and through the doorway.
Haley sped forward, making her way towards the exit door as she glanced over her shoulder. The tall figure loomed around the corner of the doorway, speeding towards her as the blade in their hand gleamed through the darkness. The shadows cascaded across the figure, outlining the black leather trench coat wrapped around their thin frame and the black mask covering their head.
The mask of Billy the Bull.
Haley threw her trembling hands forward, wrapping around the brass handle as she tugged with all of her strength.
LOCKED!
“Somebody help me! Open the door!” Haley sobbed as she slammed her palms against the door, glancing back over her shoulder to see the masked figure just a few feet away, their black leather gloves tightening around the bowie knife at their side. There was no time to waste. There was no time to cry and scream for help. She had to move…
NOW.
Haley leapt to her right, dashing down the aisle of lockers as her wet feet pounded along the concrete floor below. She listened as her attacker’s footsteps sounded off behind her, moving closer with every beat of her pounding heart. Haley ran around the edge of the aisle, making her way into the corner. This was her only way. This was her only chance. Haley stepped forward, climbing up onto the wooden bench in the center of the aisle and reached up, her hands wrapping tightly around the edge of the small window above the lockers. Haley pushed onto the edge as the window creaked open, inch by inch.
The footsteps…
Getting closer…and closer.
Haley slid the window open and grabbed the edges, pulling her head and shoulders through as she stared forward and into the dark stadium tunnel in front of her. Her hands lunged forward, clawing at the black pavement as her nails dug into the hard surface. She turned onto her back, scooting through the tiny window as she sprang to her feet, her legs quivering beneath her as she ran forward and towards the opening of the stadium tunnel ahead.
The football field!
She could climb the fence!
This was her escape!
Haley felt the sharp aches radiate up her calves and into her thighs as she held the top of her towel tightly, racing through the opening of the tunnel as her bare feet pounded onto the wet, dewy grass.
“Somebody help me!” Haley screamed, the warm tears trickling down her red cheeks…
As the dark football field lit up.
The blinding stadium lights above slashed through the darkness as Haley stared forward, examining the numerous archery target boards remaining on the football field from P.E. She spun around, facing the bleachers as she watched an arrow sore through the air…and pierce into the center of her stomach.
“AH!” Haley cried out as her hand sank down, staring at the arrow sticking out from her belly as the blood pooled beneath the white towel. The red streams trickled down her legs and onto the tops of her bare feet. Haley’s head rose as she stared back at the masked figure just a few feet away.
A bow in their gloved hands.
“Please,” Haley choked as blood dripped from her pink lips. The figure raised the bow into the air and placed an arrow onto it. “Please stop!” Haley begged…as the figure pulled the bowstring back and fired. The arrow shot throu
“Please, don’t do this!”
The figure pulled the bowstring back as the sharp metal tip of the arrow glistened in the bright stadium lights.
“Please, no!” Haley sobbed, choking on the blood flooding her throat.
The figure released the string, shooting the arrow through the air, and into the center of Haley Hitchcock’s forehead.
WASTED
The loud bass of a rap song pounded through Brynn Baldwin’s ears as she wrapped her pink lips around the rim of a shot glass and tossed it back, swallowing the cherry-flavored vodka. The liquor slithered down her throat as she slammed the shot glass down onto the center island of Stacey Miller’s kitchen. Brynn exhaled sharply as she looked to Theo West and Harley Cunningham beside her as she felt the heat in her chest growing hotter and hotter.
“Yummy!” Harley giggled, licking her glossy lips as she slammed her shot glass down beside Brynn’s.
“Yeah, thank God Stacey’s dad is an alcoholic, right?” Brynn laughed as her eyes scanned the crowded kitchen, all of her peers spread out, drinks in their hands as they swayed to the music blasting through the large home.
“Bitch, you don’t even like Stacey,” Theo cackled, rolling her eyes as she tossed her black braids over her shoulder.
“Who the fuck does? Free liquor is free liquor,” Brynn laughed as she swung her hip against Theo’s.
“I still can’t believe you made Haley stay after,” Harley smiled as she tossed her red hair over her shoulder, tiny beads of sweat building along her pale, porcelain forehead.
“Little twat deserved it. She is not going to go out there on Friday and embarrass us. You know the only reason she made the team was because her dad’s loaded and he paid for our new uniforms,” Brynn said, rolling her eyes as she combed her long, blonde hair behind her ears.
“God, tell us how you really feel,” Theo laughed as she grabbed a beer bottle from the counter and tilted it back, taking a long swig.
“You both know it’s true,” Brynn shrugged.
“Shit, I know why I made the team,” Theo smirked coyly. “I’m the only black chick at Bridgefield High and I’m the only one on the team that has any fucking rhythm.”
“Hey, I can twerk!” Harley smiled as she swung her hips left to right.
“With what ass, Tara Reid?” Theo giggled.
“Don’t listen to her baby. I like your nonexistent ass,” Glenn Craven whispered into Harley’s ear as he stepped up behind her, wrapping his hands around her tiny waist.
“Where the hell have you been?” Harley asked as she spun towards him, draping her hands on his strong, broad shoulders.
“I had to get gas and drop by T.J.’s. He got me some good shit,” Glenn nodded as he dug into his pocket and pulled out a bag of weed.
“Have you seen Carter?” Brynn asked as Glenn removed his baseball cap from his head and smoothed back his thick, brown hair.
“God, cut the cord. I’m sure he’s around here somewhere. Don’t you worry,” Glenn groaned.
“Suck my tits, Glenn,” Brynn growled as she spun around, pushing her way through the crowded kitchen and towards the doorway.
“Speaking of T.J., he wouldn’t stop asking me about you,” Glenn smiled to Theo.
“Oh, God,” Theo groaned.
“He’s a good guy! Why don’t you just give him a chance?” Harley asked as she nudged Theo softly.
“Girl, I had him...”
“What?” Harley gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because there was nothing worth telling!” Theo shrugged. “Now, he’s hung. I mean, that thing could knock out Rocky if it swung the right way. But he just doesn’t know what he’s doing with it.”
“Is this how you talk about me when I’m not around?” Glenn smirked as he looked to Harley beside him.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Harley smiled as she tapped the tip of Glenn’s nose.
“God, are you drunk or stoned?” Glenn asked as Harley rested her head onto his shoulder.
“Neither, she’s just stupid,” Theo snorted as she tilted her beer back, taking a long sip from the bottle.
***
Brynn inched through the crowded living room of the Miller house as her eyes scanned the area. Every single time, at every single party, Carter left her. He was a wanderer. He always had to talk to every single damn person. Brynn squinted in the darkness as a strobe light in the corner flashed across her pale face.
There he was…
Brynn stared forward as she made her way towards the white sectional in the center of the living room. Carter Romero was sitting along the chaise, his right leg, pressed tightly against Stacey Miller’s as she sucked onto the straw sticking out from the pink concoction in her plastic cup.
“I lost you,” Brynn smiled as she stared down at Carter. Carter continued talking to Stacey, his eyes traveling down her neck and to her perky breasts bursting out from the top of her strapless, black summer dress. “Carter!”
“What?” Carter asked, breaking out of his trance as he glanced up to Brynn in front of him.
“What’s going on here?” Brynn asked, placing her hands on her hips.
“Oh, we were just talking about the pep rally coming up,” Carter said, flashing a bright smile as he bit the corner of his lip.
“Are you going to wear spanks this time, Stacey? Or are you going to show your ass again to the entire student body?” Brynn asked coyly as she cocked her head to the right.
“That was one time,” Stacey growled. “And I think a lot of people enjoyed the show,” she added as she looked to Carter beside her, her eyes peeling off each layer of clothing that hugged against his muscular body.
“I think half the guys on the football team have seen that show many times and didn’t want a sequel,” Brynn winked.
Stacey’s jaw tightened as she glared at Brynn in front of her and stood up. “It’s too bad your mom’s not here. She would have been so proud to see you make captain,” Stacey said as she stuck out her bottom lip. Stacey reached forward and grabbed a strand of Brynn’s hair, twirling it around her finger.
Brynn’s teeth grinded behind her lips as her fists clenched at her sides. Who the hell did she think she was? Brynn fought every urge inside of her to smack that smug look right off of Stacey’s face.
“Enjoy the party,” Stacey winked as she stepped around Brynn and disappeared into the crowd.
“What the fuck was that?” Brynn asked as she glared down to Carter.
“What? We were just talking?” Carter sighed as he stood up and unzipped his black and red letter jacket.
“Yeah and probably two minutes away from biting the buttons off her dress,” Brynn snapped.
“Are we seriously going to do this right now, Brynn? Every fucking time we go out and try to have fun, this is what happens,” Carter groaned as he shook his head.
“Ok, then we don’t have to do this right now. I mean, we don’t have to do this ever again if that’s what you want,” Brynn nodded.
“What? That’s not what I’m even saying. I mean, I fucked up one time, and you can’t let it go. You just keep bringing the past up and I’m just over it. How many times do I have to say that I’m sorry? How many times are we going to talk about this? I just don’t understand why you can’t trust me.”
“OK, if you’re over it…then I’m over you,” Brynn said as she turned, pushing her way through the crowded living room. How could he not understand where she was coming from? How could he not see why she couldn’t trust him? It had only been six months since she caught him kissing that crosstown Elwood gutter slut at Theo’s birthday party. How could she just move on from that? She trusted him once; but when she saw them together—when she saw her hands clawing at his shirt and his mouth sucking on her neck…it killed her inside. It shattered every single piece of trust she had. It wasn’t worth fighting for.
Not anymore.
She was Brynn fucking Baldwin.
